Pari Delicto

The case under consideration comes within the exception above adverted to.  Here [De Los Santos] desires to nullify a transaction which was done in violation of the law. Ordinarily the principle of pari delicto would apply to her because her predecessor-in-interest has carried out the sale with the presumed knowledge of its illegality, but  because the subject of the transaction is a  piece of public land, public policy requires that she, as heir, be not prevented from re-acquiring it because it was given by law to her family for her home and cultivation. This is the policy  on which our homestead law is predicated.  This right cannot be waived. “It is not within the competence of any citizen to barter away what public policy by law seeks to preserve”. We are, therefore, constrained to hold that [De Los Santos] can maintain the present action it  being in furtherance of this fundamental aim of our homestead law [De los Santos v. Roman Catholic Church of Midsayap, 94 Phil. 405 (1954)].

Appeal of Criminal Case by Offended Party

The People is the real party in interest in a criminal case and only the OSG can represent the People in criminal proceedings pending in the CA or in this Court. This ruling has been repeatedly stressed in several cases and continues to be the controlling doctrine. 

While there may be rare occasions when the offended party may be allowed to pursue the criminal action on his own behalf (as when there is a denial of due process), this exceptional circumstance does not apply in the present case (Dante LA. Jimenez, etc. Vs. Hon. Edwin Sorongon, etc., et al., G.R. No. 178607. December 5, 2012).

Custody of the Law for Adjudication of Reliefs

As  a  rule,  one  who  seeks  an  affirmative  relief  is  deemed  to  have submitted  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court.  Filing pleadings seeking affirmative  relief  constitutes  voluntary  appearance,  and  the  consequent jurisdiction of one's person to the jurisdiction of the court.

Thus,  by  filing several motions before the RTC seeking the  dismissal of  the  criminal  case,  respondent  Alamil  voluntarily  submitted  to  the jurisdiction  of  the  RTC.  Custody of the law  is  not  required  for  the adjudication of reliefs other than an application for bail (Dante LA. Jimenez, etc. Vs. Hon. Edwin Sorongon, etc., et al., G.R. No. 178607. December 5, 2012).